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Raul Gonzalez Salinas (born November 8, 1947) is a private security consultant and a retired Federal Bureau of Investigation agent who was elected mayor of Laredo, Texas, on June 17, 2006. A political outsider, Salinas defeated 8-year city councilman John Clifford Galo (born 1958) by almost exactly 1,000 ballots in a low-turnout election: 9,665 votes (52.75 percent) to 8,657 (47.25 percent). Image File history File links Stop_hand. ... November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 53 days remaining. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the federal criminal investigative and intelligence agency, which is the principal investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger,greater) is in modern times the title of the highest ranking municipal officer, who discharges certain judicial and administrative functions, in many systems an elected politician, who serves as chief executive and/or ceremonial official of many types of municipalities. ... Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, on the north bank of the Rio Grande (Río Bravo), across from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. ... June 17 is the 168th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (169th in leap years), with 197 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Ready to "report for duty"

In his victory statement, Salinas said, "All I can say is God bless the people of Laredo. I'm ready to report for duty." Salinas added that he wished his late mother could have seen his election: "Nobody thought I could have been an FBI agent, and we broke those barriers down. . . . Now, nobody thought I could be mayor, and here we are."

Galo had the support of seven of the eight members of the Laredo City Council as well as the backing of outgoing term-limited Mayor Elizabeth Garcia "Betty" Flores (elected 1998), but Salinas prevailed, having effectively used the slogan "Right Man, Right Time!" Galo spent over $500,000 on his campaign, while Salinas tallied some $100,000 in a lower-budget campaign. Salinas said that he could work with the opposition council members because he respected their right to support a sitting colleague in the mayoral race against him. The mayoral position is officially part-time, but Mrs. Flores maintained that she had devoted full-time to the duties. The city charter, which took effect in the administration of former Mayor Aldo Tatangelo, allows the mayor to vote to break a tie. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

In the May 13, 2006, mayoral primary, Galo led with 7,654 votes (40 percent) to Salinas' 6,090 (32 percent). Three other candidates, Jaime "Cuate" Mendoza (born 1978), Rene "Hazel" Gonzalez (male), and Jose A. Valdez, Jr., divided the remaining 28 percent of the ballots. In the runoff, both Mendoza and Valdez supported Salinas, but Gonzalez remained neutral. Galo, a Laredo businessman, gained only 1,003 additional votes in the runoff, whereas Salinas increased his tally by 3,575 ballots. May 13 is the 133rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (134th in leap years). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ...

Salinas' website describes the new mayor as an "independent" who "works with all kinds of people to bring a solution that is neither liberal nor conservative. . . . He is a man without political alliances and without political ties." Texas mayors and council members are all elected on nonpartisan ballots though most have ties to one of the major parties. In U.S. politics, nonpartisan denotes an election in which the candidates do not declare or do not formally have a political party affiliation. ...

According to his unofficial website website, it contends that the majority in Laredo does not vote on a regular basis because it feels that "elected officials are interested more for themselves than [for] you. You feel lied [to] and misrepresented. We can stop the corruption, the Patron Party [a reference to south Texas political bosses], and pure carelessness. We have a man who is not interested in these types of sneaky politics or corruption, but who is interested in you, the people."

Early years and education

Salinas was born in Alice, in Jim Wells County, one of the legendary machine counties of south Texas, which helped to make Lyndon B. Johnson a U.S. senator. Salinas worked odd jobs as a boy, including the delivery of newspapers. He often walked around barefoot because his family could not afford to provide him with shoes. He had to work to bring food to the family table. "I come from very humble beginnings. My parents lived in poverty. . . . All of us had to work," Salinas says in his campaign website. Alice is a city located in Jim Wells County, Texas, United States. ... Jim Wells County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... Lyndon Baines Johnson (August 27, 1908 – January 22, 1973), often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States (1963–1969). ...

Salinas is a paternal nephew of the Hispanic actress Carmen Salinas(born 1933). 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

When he was still in high school, Salinas contacted his congressman, Eligio "Kiki" de la Garza, II, a Democrat from Mission in Hidalgo County in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and told the lawmaker that he wanted to work in de la Garza's Washington office. De la Garza told Salinas to finish school first and then to contact him again. In 1968, Salinas went to work on de la Garza's staff. He handled constituent services and developed a weekly bilingual radio program for the congressman as a means of reaching ot to his constituency. He left de la Garza' staff in 1970. Throughout the years, Salinas says that he considers de la Garza his principal "role model and mentor." Therefore, it was the since retired de la Garza (born 1927) who came to Laredo to swear in Salinas as mayor on June 22. The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... Mission is a city located in Hidalgo County, Texas. ... Hidalgo County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... This article is about the river that empties into the Gulf of Mexico. ... Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., with regard to the surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...

In 1970, Salinas obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in College Park. He also obtained an FCC broadcaster's license from the Elkins Instiute of Broadcasters and Engineers in Dallas. 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... The University of Maryland, College Park (also known as UM, UMD, or UMCP) is a public university located in College Park, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., USA. As the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland, the university is most often referred to as the University of Maryland... Motto: Nickname: Map Political Statistics Founded 1856 Incorporated 1945 Prince Georges County Mayor Stephen A. Brayman Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Land  - Water 14. ... The abbreviation FCC can refer to: Face-centered cubic (usually fcc), a crystallographic structure Federal Communications Commission, a US government organization Farm Credit Corporation/Farm Credit Canada, a Canadian government organization Families with Children from China, an adoption support organization Florida Christian College, a college in central Florida Fresno City... ·· Nickname: Big D Location in the state of Texas Counties Dallas County Collin County Denton County Kaufman County Rockwall County Mayor Laura Miller Area    - City 997. ...

FBI service

Salinas was a Washington, D.C. policeman from 1970 until 1975, when he joined the FBI. He came to Laredo in 1988, when he was transferred as a special agent from Washington. From 1997-2002, Salinas' FBI duties took him to the Office of Legal Attache of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. He was responsible for investigations into violent crime and terrorism, kidnapping, and background checks for FBI fugitive cases in Mexico. 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México, México D.F. or simply México, pronounced /mexiko/ in IPA) is the capital and largest city of the nation of Mexico. ... This article is becoming very long. ...

Salinas says that he has worked with many people in government over the years, as a capital policeman and as an FBI agent, including Presidents Gerald R. Ford, Jr., and George Herbert Walker Bush and Vice Presidents Hubert H. Humphrey and Nelson A. Rockefeller, and FBI Directors William Sessions and Louis J. Freeh, Senator Lloyd Millard Bentsen, Jr., and Attorneys General William French Smith and Janet Reno. He did not meet Humphrey until the former vice president returned to the U.S. Senate in 1971. Salinas' police duties at the time required that he guard the former vice president. He also claims a friendship with President George W. Bush, (although he voted for John Kerry for President in 2004) who gave Salinas an award on his retirement from the FBI. Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. ... George H. W. Bush - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Hubert Horatio Humphrey II (May 27, 1911 – January 13, 1978) was the 38th Vice President of the United States, serving under President Lyndon Johnson. ... Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (July 8, 1908 - January 26, 1979) was a Governor of New York and the 41st Vice President of the United States of America from December 19, 1974 to January 20, 1977. ... Categories: Stub | 1930 births | Directors of the FBI | People from Arkansas ... Louis Joseph Freeh (born January 6, 1950 in Jersey City, New Jersey) was nominated by U.S. President Bill Clinton to be the Director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). ... Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr. ... William French Smith (August 26, 1917–October 29, 1990) was an American lawyer and the 74th Attorney General of the United States. ... Janet Reno (born July 21, 1938) was the 78th Attorney General of the United States (1993–2001), and was the first woman to hold that post. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American businessman and politician, was elected in 2000 as the 43rd President of the United States of America, re-elected in 2004, and is currently serving his second term in that office. ... John Forbes Kerry (born December 11, 1943) is the junior United States Senator from Massachusetts. ...

Salinas' goals as mayor

Salinas has pledged to establish liaison with the four educational entities in Laredo. He supports a Civil Service Commission for municipal employees. He favors the building of a fifth bridge across the Rio Grande in a partnership with the city of Laredo and Webb County government. Salinas says that he respects "green spaces" and supports the "natural environment." A civil servant or public servant is a civilian career public sector employee working for a government department or agency. ... Webb County is a county located in the state of Texas. ...

He has pledged to stop credit card abuse by city officials, some of whom have purchased expensive liquors at taxpayer expense, and to halt nepotism. He expects to boost the city infrastructure and alleviate traffic congestion. He opposes high tax appraisals coming from the Webb County Appraisal District. The district maintains that it is merely following state law with the annual appraisals, many of which increase by 10 percent per year. The state requires that property be appraised and taxed on the basis of recent sales of similar property in the area or neighborhood.

Salinas says that he will try to improve the Laredo municipal water system and explore a possible second water source. He has pledged to promote public safety by increasing the size of the police force and by maintaining proper equipment for municipal firefighters.

Salinas is married to Yolanda Salinas, who operates the International College of Cosmetology in Laredo.

Salinas as mayor today

Raul G. Salinas started his first council meeting on Monday, July 3, 2006.

On the fourth of July in 2006, Salinas attended many local events and was seen around town honking to all the spectators of the fireworks around Veterans Field and the Civic Center. The mayor's pet dog, named Princess also attended a parade along with his companion, our mayor and Raul's wife Yolanda.

The mayor's pet dog, named "Princess" has been at the spotlight with local residents. Princess had surgery for a leg injury in the Summer of 2006. Her operation was performed in Houston, Tx who was taken by Yolanda Salinas - Princess successfully completed the surgery. Houston redirects here. ...

"I am so humbled by your faith, by your confidence, and the opportunity to be your mayor.", Salinas said In a ceremony at the Casa Blanca. Mayor Salinas also produced a key several feet long. "This is the key to the city, the new mayor declared. "I present this key to you, the people of Laredo. This belongs to you. The mayors office belongs to you."

Thus far, mayor Salinas and the council have formed an ethics commission, which would create guidelines for council members. They have also created a civil service commission, which will oversee hiring, firing and promotions.

"We have to be crystal clear we are going to abide by the law," Salinas said of the ethics commission. The new ethics commission and civil service commission still needs to be approved by the voters this November. Since Salinas started his term as mayor of Laredo he has accomplished this and also met with the familes of Laredo's Missing for his first time as mayor to discuss what could be done to prevent missing Laredoans and how to bring closure to these familes. This wasn't the first time Salinas had met with the people of Laredo's Missing - he has actively been working together with them before he was elected mayor.

Salinas has also met with Nuevo Laredo's Mayor Daniel Pena to work together on safety, commerce, tourism and international trade for the betterment of the people on both sides of the Rio Grande. International trade is the keystone of the two Laredos, Salinas said, "nothing is vital to ensure that the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo crossing continues its reputation as the fastest and most professional land port between the two nations."

Mayor Salinas went to Austin, TX in late August of 2006 to the Border Coalition of Mayors, where he met with various U.S. and Mexican Governors and Mayors. Among the leaders he met with were; Democratic Governors Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Republican Governors Rick Perry of Texas and Arnold Schwarzenegger of California. The Governors of four border states signed a letter urging federal lawmakers to pass comprehensive immigration reform before the end of the year. Mayor Raul Salinas spoke at the conference, and praised the agreements that were reached, particularly the one about immigration reform. Skyline from Town Lake Austin is the capital of the state of Texas, within the United States of America. ... Janet Napolitano (b. ... Official language(s) English Capital Phoenix Largest city Phoenix Area  Ranked 6th  - Total 113,998 sq mi (295,254 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 0. ... Bill Richardson is the name of at least two public figures: Bill Richardson, Canadian radio host for CBC Radio One Bill Richardson, US politician and current governor of New Mexico This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Capital Santa Fe Largest city Albuquerque Area  Ranked 5th  - Total 121,665 sq mi (315,194 km²)  - Width 342 miles (550 km)  - Length 370 miles (595 km)  - % water 0. ... James Richard Rick Perry (born March 4, 1950) is a Republican politician and the governor of Texas. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (IPA: ) (born on July 30, 1947) is an Austrian American bodybuilder, actor and Republican politician, currently serving as the 38th Governor of California. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ...

Right after he arrived from the meeting in Austin, Salinas met with Congressman Henry Cuellar to come up with a plan to have a meeting with Mexico's next President and the familes of Laredo's Missing. Rep. ... Laredo redirects here. ...

On August 27, 2006 the Laredo Morning Times published an article of Councilmen Gene Belmares, the lone Republican councilmen publicly disagreeing with Mayor Salinas' appointment of Councilman Mike Garza to the Legislative Liaison Committee, replacing Belmares. Salinas said he had "to have diversity in some of our committees". Poiting out, "there are some people that are coming in that I’d like to give a chance to." Mike Garza was elected to the council on June of 2006.

Councilmen Gene Belmares has made it aware that he plans to run agaisnt Raul Salinas for mayor in 2010. Belmares was also one of the six council members supporing Salinas' opponent, John C. Galo in the run-off mayoral race of June 2006. On Monday August 28, 2006 at the council meeting, Belmares accepted the changes made to the appointments. The council unanimously voted for the proposed changes. Salinas and Belmares each pointed out at the meeting that they had no hard feelings and pledged to work together for the betterment of Laredo.

On the August 29, 2006 council meeting, the council voted unanimously to freeze the taxes for residents over 65 and the disabled. Mayor Salinas priased distrcit 3 Councilmen Michael Landeck who placed the item on the agenda. Mayor Raul Salinas said he is wholeheartedly in favor of freezing the taxes. “They’re the ones that need it the most,” he said. Also on the meeting the council voted to move up acquiring the funding for a proposed water park to 2007 instead of 2009. “I really want to move that project ahead,” Salinas says. “I really want Councilman Juan Ramirez to be successful with that because he’s worked so hard to bring it to the community. He received heavy opposition in the last few years about the project.” Salinas added that a water park would bring tourism to Laredo. Councilmen Juan Ramirez co-sponsored the item.

References

Laredo Morning Times, June 17, 18, 19, 21, 2006; August 19, 27, 2006

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000203

http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/carmen-salinas/62732/main

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17117044&BRD=2290&PAG=461&dept_id=569392&rfi=6

External links

• Unoffical Website